WELCOME RAIN IN CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25954, 7 November 1949, Page 6

WELCOME RAIN IN CANTERBURY

GOOD FALLS IN MOST AREAS CROPS AND STOCK BENEFIT Substantial falls of rain from the south-west in Canterbury since daybreak yesterday, in most places amounting to an inch or more, did much good on farms, where the drought in many cases had reached serious proportions. There was much less rain in Christchurch than in other parts of the province. The fall in Christchurch was only .16 North Canterbury district around Rangiora, particularly in the Swannanoa area, rain was badly needed, and yesterday’s fall was greatly appreciated. At least one farmer in this district had been contemplating sending his stock further north where feed was more plentiful. At Rangiora .62 inches of rain fell, but the area could do with another 24 hours of steady rain. Some crops were showing signs of suffering from the dry spell, but grain crops were standing up well. Spring-sown crops such as barley are not very forward and they will benefit considerably.

Up to 9 o’clock yesterday morning there had been 13 points along the coastal area nearer Cheviot, ana another 2.24 inches fell up to 7 p.m. At Spotswood 1.6 inches fell up to 5 p.m. The Cheviot district was not as dry as some other North Canterbury districts, but farms were just beginning to show the effects of the dry spell. Steady rain was falling at 7.15 p.m. There w*as only a slight fall at Lake Coleridge, about 10 points, but this area was not in need of rain. The pastures are in excellent condition, and the level of the lake is satisfactory. The inland Kaikoura district had heavy rain from daybreak yesterday, and it was still raining hard last evening. The temperatures were' very low compared with the previous week, although no snow in the lower areas was anticipated. At 7 o’clock last evening 1.67 inches had fallen since rain began. The rain had been badly needed and before it the hill country had been very dry. In the Waiau district light rain set in about daybreak and gradually became heavier. About an inch and a half fell during the day. The rain was appreciated, but the area was not badly in need of it. With the change to southerly weather, temperatures fell, but the colder weather is not expected to do any harm. At the Selwyn Huts about 30 points fell between 7 a.m. and midday—the highest rainfall since August. Farmers are anxious to get the lake reopened as they are short of feed for their stock. Pea crops in. the district were badly in need of rain and other crops need more rain. Round the Methven area rain began about 4 a.m. and stopped about 5 p.m., about an inch falling. There was a flurry of snow half way down Mount Hutt. Further back in the hills there was less rain, but still a welcome fall.

Light, steady rain began at Ashburton early yesterday morning, and relieved to some extent the dry conditions. The rain began to ease in the afternoon. In September and October Ashburton had 1.69 in of rain, compared with an average of 4.78 in for the two months.